Atletico Madrid join Leipzig’s striker Werner hunt

Atletico Madrid are reported to be in the hunt to sign RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, but have been told to forget about a deal.

Atletico are facing up to the prospect of losing Antoine Griezmann at the end of the season and are reported to have lined up Werner as a potential replacement.

Los Rojiblancos sent scouts to watch him in action against Augsburg last weekend with a view to making a move at the end of the season.

Werner’s current contract is due to come to an end in 2020 but Leipzig hope to convince the 21-year-old to extend his stay with a new deal.

If the forward does not sign a new deal his value is likely to depreciate after the summer window, but the German club’s sporting director Ralf Rangnick says the club have already told Werner he will remain at the Red Bull Arena for the 2018/19 campaign.

“Timo knows in any case that he right now, and also the next season, plays for us,” Rangnick told Kicker. “We are already in talks to adjust and extend his contract.”

Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also keen on the striker so Atleti would face strong competition if he became available at the right price.